Colorado State vs. EWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado State University Fort Collins in Fort Collins, CO with Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than EWU based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 10,492 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado State University Fort Collins is located in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting); Eastern Washington University is in Cheney, WA (Town Fringe setting).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1; Eastern Washington University 18:1.

Colorado State vs. EWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State or EWU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern Washington University than Colorado State ($14,767 vs. $21,011).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Washington University are 7.4% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($15,574 vs. $16,817).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is 55.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than EWU (about $4,787 more per year; $13,373.00 vs. $8,586.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34% higher at Colorado State than at Eastern Washington University (about $8,824 more per year; $34,783.00 vs. $25,959.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Washington University than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (86% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students is 1.6% larger than aid received by Eastern Washington University students ($10,160 vs. $10,001).

Colorado State vs. EWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado State or EWU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between EWU and Colorado State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado State University Fort Collins (1190) is 200 points higher than at EWU (990).
• Incoming Colorado State students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 19 at EWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290; Eastern Washington University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29; Eastern Washington University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado State - Test optional; EWU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado State Jul 1, 2027; EWU Sep 10, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Colorado State students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at EWU (3.29).
• EWU has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than Colorado State (88.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Colorado State vs. 22.7% at EWU.

Colorado State vs. EWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado State and EWU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Colorado State University Fort Collins's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Eastern Washington University's (46%).
• Graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than EWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Washington University graduates have a $186 lower median loan debt than Colorado State graduates ($20,818 vs. $21,004).
• Among borrowers, EWU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado State graduates ($215 vs. $217).
• More Colorado State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EWU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.